Biker-Friendly Places to Stay in Cornwall & Devon

Looking for motorcycle-friendly accommodation in Cornwall and Devon? Base yourself on the edge of Dartmoor (Tavistock, Okehampton, Moretonhampstead or Ashburton) for the moor roads, Lynton or Lynmouth for the Exmoor coast, or Penzance, Falmouth or St Ives for the far west of Cornwall. The two counties offer two very different kinds of riding: open moorland roads across Dartmoor and Exmoor, and slower coast roads round headlands and fishing villages, with high-hedged lanes in between.

The best riding roads

• Dartmoor (B3212 and B3357). The B3212 crosses the moor from Yelverton through Princetown and Two Bridges to Moretonhampstead. The B3357 runs from Tavistock through Two Bridges towards Dartmeet and Ashburton. Open, rolling roads with big views. Much of the unfenced moor has a 40 mph limit, and ponies, sheep and cattle roam free and lie on the road. Ride well within it.
• The Exmoor coast (A39). Between Porlock and Lynmouth the A39 climbs Porlock Hill, signed at 1 in 4 (25%) and described as the steepest A road in England, and drops into Lynmouth down Countisbury Hill, which is just as steep at the bottom. Big sea views in between. Porlock Hill has escape lanes for runaway vehicles; there are gentler toll roads round it.
• The Atlantic Highway (A39). Through north Devon and north Cornwall towards Bude and Wadebridge, a fast main road with side turns to the coast at Clovelly, Boscastle and Tintagel.
• Penwith (B3306). The coast road from St Ives to St Just runs past stone walls, old mine engine houses and the cliffs, with Land's End just south. Narrow and twisty, best early or late in the day.
• The Lizard (A3083). South from Helston to Lizard Point, the most southerly point of mainland Britain. Combine it with the King Harry chain ferry across the Fal for the lanes of the Roseland.

Crossing the Tamar

The Tamar Bridge between Plymouth and Saltash is free for solo motorcycles (trikes and sidecars pay as cars). The Torpoint Ferry charges motorcycles, in the Plymouth to Torpoint direction. Fares and rules change: check the Tamar Crossings website.

Where to base yourself

For Dartmoor, Tavistock and Okehampton are the main towns on the western and northern edges, with Moretonhampstead, Ashburton and Bovey Tracey on the east. Lynton and Lynmouth are the bases for Exmoor and the A39 coast. In Cornwall, Bodmin and Launceston are central, Wadebridge and Padstow suit the north coast, and Penzance, St Ives and Falmouth put the far west and the Lizard within an easy ride. Distances look short on the map, but lanes and summer traffic make every mile slower than it looks.

When to go

April to October. May, June and September are best: long days, warm weather and fewer visitors. July and August bring heavy traffic, caravans and full car parks to the coast, and the A30 and A38 are slow on summer Saturdays. Fog can sit on the moors on any day of the year, and the high-hedged lanes stay wet and muddy long after rain.

Parking and garage tips

• Coast villages have narrow streets and very little parking. Ask about off-street parking when you book, and walk into the harbour towns.
• Lanes between high hedges have mud, gravel and grass down the middle, and blind bends with tractors coming the other way.
• Steep, slippery slipways and harbour cobbles catch riders out: check where you will park before you ride down.
• Fuel is easy in the towns, but scarce on Dartmoor and Exmoor. Fill up before you head onto the moor.